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Homosexuality in World Religions Christopher Buck Con Law Seminar Professor Rostorfer 1 Aug. 2004 Monday, September 6, 2010 Thesis Core texts of world religions proscribe homosexuality. Gays & lesbians advocate for religious reform. The Priest (1995) Monday, September 6, 2010 An Ancient & Modern Question World Religions have had to deal with the the rise of public homosexuality. This has created polarities & rifts. Monday, September 6, 2010 Religious Hot Topics Ordination of gays and lesbians. Gay & lesbian marriage. Civil rights. Acceptance. Liturgy. Monday, September 6, 2010 Top Ten Organized Religions 1. Christianity (2 billion) 2. Islam (1.2 billion) 3. Hinduism (785 million) 4. Buddhism (360 million) 5. Judaism (17 million) 6. Sikhism (16 million) 7. Bahá’í Faith (7 million) 8. Confucianism (5 million) 9. Jainism (4 million) 10. Shintoism (3 million) Monday, September 6, 2010 Traditional Hinduism World’s oldest religion “Mother of all religions.” Tolerant, diverse. Religious value of pleasure (kama) But traditionally against homosexuality. Monday, September 6, 2010 Hindu Celebration of Sex There is a Hindu “pleasure principle.” One of the four “goals” of life is kama. But within a traditional context. Tradition of arranged marriages within caste Monday, September 6, 2010 The Kama Sutra • Ancient text on pleasure (kama). • Embraces the notion of sacred sex. • Now divorced from its origins. • Many web sites—sex industry. • Kama Sutra silent on homosexuality. Monday, September 6, 2010 Tantric Hinduism Sexual exercises involving “serpent power” (kundalini). Goal is to drive sexual energy through the seven energy centers through the Crown Chakra. Again, silent on homosexuality. Monday, September 6, 2010 Tantra for Everyone? Tantra for Gay Men (2002). Part of current trend to specialize all forms of spirituality for gays and lesbians. Monday, September 6, 2010 Bhakti Yoga Ways of liberation Karma Yoga. Jnana Yoga. Bhakti Yoga. Love of Krishna most popular form Monday, September 6, 2010 Expanding Love Love is universal. Transcends sex. Men love Krishna. But can men love men? Or women love women? Monday, September 6, 2010 Laws of Manu XI.68. Proscribes an unnatural offence with a man, are declared to cause the loss of caste (gatibhramsa). 175. A twice-born man who commits an unnatural offence with a male, or has intercourse with a female in a cart drawn by oxen, in water, or in the day-time.... Monday, September 6, 2010 Penalty for Lesbian Sex VIII.369–70: “If a virgin does it to another virgin, she should be fined 200 (pennies), be made to pay double (the girl's) brideprice, and receive ten whip (lashes). But if a (mature) woman does it to a virgin, her head should be shaved immediately or two of her fingers should be cut off, and she should be made to ride on a donkey.” (Laws of Manu 1991, 191.) Monday, September 6, 2010 Hindu Androgyny Ardhanarishwara: androgynous deity, one of the principal forms of Shiva. Shiva divided himself and let his Shakti (his power) be apprehended by both himself and Brahma. The body of fire, of which erotic pleasure is the sparks, was divided. The Great Goddess sent her glowing ardour, in the form of a woman, into the world of the gods. Thus from Ardhanarishwara's selfdivision came the essential idea of woman, sex, and sensuality. Thus duality came into the world. Monday, September 6, 2010 Bollywood’s Girlfriend Controversial lesbian scene. Amrita Arora and Isha Koppikar Monday, September 6, 2010 Gay Hindus Gay and Lesbian Vaishnava Association Web site: <http:// www.galva108.org/>. Religious argument based on Vedic notion of “the Third Sex.” Monday, September 6, 2010 The Third Sex Throughout Vedic literature, the sex or gender of the human being is clearly divided into three separate categories according to prakriti or nature. These are: pums-prakriti or male, stri-prakriti or female, and tritiya-prakriti or the third sex. People of the third sex are also classified under a larger social category known as the “neutral gender.” Its members are called napumsaka, or “those who do not engage in procreation.” There are five different types of napumsaka people: (1) children; (2) the elderly; (3) neuters; (4) the celibate, and (5) the third sex. They were all considered to be sexually neutral by Vedic definition and were protected and Monday, September 6, 2010 Traditional Buddhism Monday, September 6, 2010 Not for Monks! 'Kamesu micchacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami.' The word kama refers to any form of sensual pleasure but with an emphasis on sexual pleasure and a literal translation of the precept would be "I take the rule of training (veramani sikkhapadam samadi-yami) not to go the wrong way (micchacara) for sexual pleasure (kamesu)". (Third Precept) No specific text on homosexuality in the scriptures of Theravada Buddhism (Tripitaka). Monday, September 6, 2010 Tantric Buddhism Vajrayana— “Thunderbolt” or “Diamond” vehicle. Texts are called “Tantras.” Exalts sexuality to a ritual form. Nothing on homosexuality. Monday, September 6, 2010 Dalai Lama 1997 press conference: “From a Buddhist point of view [lesbian and gay sex] … is generally considered sexual misconduct.” “Homosexuality, whether it is between men or between women, is not improper in itself. What is improper is the use of organs already defined as inappropriate for sexual contact.” (Beyond Dogma) Buddhism prohibits oral, manual and anal sex for everyone — both homosexuals and heterosexuals. From “society's viewpoint,” same-sex relations can be “of mutual benefit, enjoyable and harmless.” He supports human rights “regardless of sexual Monday, September 6, 2010 Lesbian Buddhists Yahoo Group. Virtual community. Web site: <http:// groups.yahoo.com /group/LesbianBuddhisteSangha/>. Monday, September 6, 2010 Queer Dharma “There is a legacy that we all share as gay men, of separation and of loss, that I believe gives us an affinity for Buddhist practice. A gay sangha is a natural result of this affinity, and offers the opportunity to join with other gay men on a spiritual path. Together we can discover that our life experiences of separation and loss, this shared legacy, is no longer an impediment to fulfillment. It is, instead, a doorway to awakening to fulfillment. Of all the many meanings of the word ‘sangha,’ my favorite is simply, working together to discover our true nature.” Monday, September 6, 2010 Queer Dharma Back cover. No comment! Monday, September 6, 2010 Gay Buddhist Fellowship Buddha’s Inclusiveness: "As teachers of the Buddha’s way in the West, we want to state publicly that we understand that the Buddha’s teachings for lay people do not distinguish heterosexual-ity from homosexuality. We also understand that the traditional guide-line the Buddha taught for sexual conduct among lay people–refrain from causing harm to oneself or another–-applies universally to all sexual activity. We welcome, as the Buddha did, people of all sexual orientations, and of all races, classes, origins and physical abilities to our teachings and to the practices that liberate the heart.” Monday, September 6, 2010 http://www.gaybuddhist.org/ Orthodox Judaism Holiness Code: “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22, KJV) Have times changed? Yes! Monday, September 6, 2010 Gay Jews Controversial new movie (1995). About Orthodox & Hasidic Jews trying to reconcile their orientation & religion. Monday, September 6, 2010 Lesbian Jews First gay & lesbian synagogue. Located in L.A. Reform. “Queer liturgy.” Go to: <http:// www.bcc-la.org/ Monday, September 6, 2010 Gay & Lesbian Jews The World Congress of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Jews Monday, September 6, 2010 Traditional Catholics Monday, September 6, 2010 Marriage & Children Sex is procreative. Marriage is one of the seven Sacraments. Non-spousal sex forbidden. Monday, September 6, 2010 Latest Papal Statement On the collaboration of men and women in the Church and the World. (7/31/2004). Feminism’s view of equality has inspired ideologies which "call into question the family, in its natural twoparent structure of mother and father, and to make homosexuality and heterosexuality virtually equivalent.” Monday, September 6, 2010 Dignity USA Web site: <http:// www.dignityusa.org/> Established 1969. Vision & Mission: “Advocates for change in the Catholic Church's teaching on homosexuality.” Monday, September 6, 2010 Clockwise from left: Patty Dolan, Kerry Dolan, Paula Hills, Keegan Dolan. The Vatican calls this violence. DignityUSA calls it love. During National Gay Pride Month, DignityUSA celebrates same gender couples and their families. You are inspirational examples of love, commitment and family values! To join DignityUSA or locate a Chapter near you: www.dignityusa.org 1-800-877-8797 DignityUSA is the nation’s foremost organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics, their families, friends and supporters. Founded in 1969, it is an independent nonprofit organization with members and Chapters across the country. Evangelicals Concerned Founded in 1975 by Dr. Ralph Blair. Ministry that reaches out to gays & lesbians. Inclusive, but nondenominational. Difficult to judge how large or successful. Monday, September 6, 2010 Ordination of Gays & Lesbians Rev. Gene Robinson, Episcopal bishop (2003). Voted top religious news story of 2003! (Religion Newswriters Association). Divisive—may split Anglican church! Monday, September 6, 2010 Lesbian & Gay Studies Center for Lesbian & Gay Studies in Religion & Ministry Marriage Project Religious Rites = Civil Rights! Monday, September 6, 2010 Future of Christianity? Controversies over gay & lesbian issues will cause serious splits in religious communities. However, change is on the way. Monday, September 6, 2010 Islam Monday, September 6, 2010 The Qur’an on Homosexuality And if two (men) of you commit it, then hurt them both; but if they turn again and amend, leave them alone, v e r i l y, G o d i s e a s i l y t u r n e d , compassionate. (Q. 4:21) Do ye approach males of all the world and leave what God your Lord has created for you of your wives? nay, but ye are people who transgress!' (Q. 26:165–166) What! do ye approach men? (or Do you commit sexual acts with men?) and stop folks on the highway? And approach in your assembly sin?' but the answer of his people was only to say, 'Bring us God's torment, if thou art of those who speak the truth!' (Q. Monday, September 6, 2010 Traditions (Hadith) "When a man mounts another man, the throne of God shakes." "Kill the one that is doing it and also kill the one that it is being done to." (in reference to the active and passive partners in gay sexual intercourse) "Sihaq (lesbian sexual activity) of women is zina (illegitimate sexual intercourse) among them."! Monday, September 6, 2010 Forbidden, but Historical! Monday, September 6, 2010 Fatih Sultan Mehmet Famous gay king! Monday, September 6, 2010 Gay/Lesbian Muslim Orgs Monday, September 6, 2010 Gay & Lesbian Muslims Mardi Gras Parade, 6 July, 2002, UK. Can only “come out” in the West. Gay males still stoned to death. Monday, September 6, 2010 Gay Bahá’ís? Oxymoron? Site of gay Bahá’ís seeking reform. Not official. Nahzy will present Bahá’í perspective. Monday, September 6, 2010 Conclusion World religions frown on homosexuality. Major change in focus is from sexual acts to sexual orientation. Gay & lesbian public figures leading reform! Morality redefined? Monday, September 6, 2010